A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Chapter 1013 Chen Zhongyu and Lin Peishan prepare for their engagement

If I remember correctly, the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong seems to be not far off.

"Really? Why would they come to Hong Kong? Hong Kong is no longer under the control of the Nationalist government. Do they dare to provoke Britain?" Lin Peishan asked, frowning.

"Japan has the ambition of a wolf, and there's nothing we wouldn't dare to provoke," Gui'er said bitterly. "Brother Chen, what should we do now?"

"Don't panic. First, verify the situation and report it to the organization. The organization has also assigned us tasks recently. The war in the mainland is getting more and more intense, and we need supplies from all sides. I'm currently having a headache trying to procure all kinds of supplies, which is why I'm thinking of recruiting and winning over people from all sides."

“If there is a financial need, I can pay for it,” Gui’er immediately replied.

Chen Zhongyu nodded with satisfaction and said, "Okay, I'll let you know if I need anything."

Gui'er returned home with a heavy heart. Dingxiang, seeing her troubled expression, asked curiously, "Miss, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, Brother Wu, are you back?"

"Qiang Ge just got home, I'll go and ask him to come over to see you."

Wu Mingqiang came up shortly after and asked, "Miss, what can I do for you?"

"I've recently heard that there have been a lot of people on the streets who look like Japanese spies. Is that true? You're always walking around on the streets, have you noticed them?"

Wu Mingqiang pondered for a moment: "It's hard to say whether Japan killed spies, but recently, the Japanese trading companies I know of seem to have indeed recruited a large number of employees, and trading companies that do business with Japan have also received a lot of negotiations, saying they want to cooperate in Hong Kong and so on. They are quite happy because they feel there is business to be done."

"How can these people be so confused? The Japanese are currently invading China. What good can it be for Japanese people to do business in Hong Kong?"

"That's what they say, but miss, this is British-controlled territory. Will the Japanese really attack?"

"They've even occupied Guangzhou. How could they possibly let go of such an important port as Hong Kong?"

Wu Mingqiang listened thoughtfully: "Miss is right, but there's not much we ordinary people can do. You're worried about what we'll do when the Japanese invade, right? I think we really need to prepare in advance. How about I buy some more supplies and store them in the basement?"

Gui'er was both amused and exasperated: "If the Japanese really invade, do you think we'll still be able to live in such a nice house? All our supplies will just become provisions for those Japanese devils."

"Yes, Miss, you're right. It seems we'll have to think of another way."

Gui'er gave a wry smile, shook her head, and said, "Didn't you even think about how to resist?"

Wu Mingqiang paused for a moment and said, "But the British are in charge here, and the army is also led by the British. We Chinese have never had a say. Boss Long is already considered a leading figure among the Chinese. Oh, by the way, do you mean to have Boss Long remind the British? Good idea, Miss, you are very smart. I will tell Boss Long about the situation tomorrow and see what he does."

Gui'er thought for a moment. Although it was a lucky coincidence, it was still a viable method. She nodded and instructed, "Okay, but be careful when you say it. Just say that this is something you noticed yourself."

The next day, as soon as she returned to school, Lin Peishan excitedly told Gui'er, "Zhongyu met with Mr. Mo Gansheng, the Justice of the Peace, and was very satisfied with him. He made him his secretary. My father was also very happy when he found out, and he wants us to get engaged during the summer vacation at this school."

Gui'er was stunned for a moment, then said happily, "That's wonderful, congratulations! But what about the bookstore?"

“Isn’t that easy? Of course, we’ll let other comrades take over. Besides, Zhongyu also thinks that because he’s in a high position, he’s more likely to obtain important intelligence and can also exert influence through important figures.”

Gui'er agreed, so she didn't say anything more.

Lin Peishan excitedly invited Gui'er to go to Sincere Department Store after school to pick out clothes to wear.

Gui'er smiled and said, "Isn't this too early? There's still more than half a month to go."

"It's getting late. If I don't just need to pick out clothes, I also need to pick out jewelry, cosmetics, shoes, bags, and so on. Everything has to be new, and not just one set. If I buy them and they don't look good on me, I'll have to go and pick out new ones. It's a pity that there's too little time. Otherwise, I would really like to have them custom-made. But if a custom-made dress doesn't have embroidery or inlays, it looks so cheap. All of this takes time. Half a month is not enough."

Gui'er understood that all rich young ladies were like this, so she had no choice but to go along with her.

After school, the two went straight to Sincere Department Store. Gui'er hadn't been shopping often since coming to Hong Kong, and this was her first time at Sincere Department Store. As soon as she got out of the car, she was amazed by the grand arcade facade—the milky white walls were inlaid with dark green glass, and the four gilded characters "Sincere Department Store" on the lintel shone in the sunset. Two doormen in red uniforms stood by the revolving door, bowing and greeting people with loud voices like gongs.

As soon as they stepped through the door, a fragrance mixed with perfume and cosmetics wafted towards them. The first floor was a cosmetics counter, with French perfumes and American lipsticks displayed in glass cases, the labels printed in foreign languages. Next to them stood saleswomen in cheongsams, their hair neatly combed. Seeing Gui'er and the others arrive, they immediately greeted them with a smile: "What would you like to see, Miss? The new Max Factor lipsticks are here, the colors are perfect, many ladies are scrambling to buy them."

The ready-to-wear section on the second floor was even more bustling, with racks full of all kinds of clothing. There were Western-style dresses with lace trim at the neckline, as well as Chinese-style cheongsams in satin and georgette, embroidered with flowers, birds, insects and plants. The sales assistants carried several samples among the customers, constantly saying, "This is the latest style, made by a tailor from Shanghai, and it has a particularly flattering waistline."

The jewelry section on the third floor was even more luxurious. Gold bracelets and diamond rings glittered under the lights, and strings of pearl necklaces were arranged on velvet trays like freshly peeled lychees. Lin Peishan walked to a counter, and as soon as her eyes fell on a pair of jade earrings, the shop assistant immediately handed her a magnifying glass: "Miss, you have a good eye. These are old mine jade from Myanmar, with excellent translucency."

After browsing for a while, Lin Peishan chose a pink georgette cheongsam and a coral lipstick. When it was time to pay, the cashier sat behind the high counter, rapidly and skillfully working on her abacus.

Outside Sincere Company, the streetlights were already on. Gui'er suddenly noticed many more Japanese people in wooden clogs and kimonos on the streets of this bustling area. Some, though wearing top hats and suits, were clearly Japanese based on their cautious gait. A chill ran down her spine, and she tugged at Lin Peishan's sleeve: "Why do I feel like there are so many more Japanese people on the streets?"